On Nov. 14, Palatine School District 211 voted to relax bathroom and locker room restrictions for transgender students, media outlets reported.
At the public meeting, held at Fremd High School, parents and students spoke out on both sides of the argument regarding issues such as privacy and transgender rights. "The district should be helping transgender students, not putting more obstacles in front of them, because they face enough already," student Mandy Logan said, according to WGN-TV.
The board voted five to two in favor of the motion, ending a four-year battle. Board members said the policy will only allow students who have officially identified as transgender to use the locker room that corresponds to their identity.
In a statement sent to Windy City Times, ACLU of Illinois Director of Communications and Public Policy Ed Yohnka said, "The passage of a new inclusive policy guaranteeing students who are transgender full and equal use of locker rooms and restrooms in District 211 is welcome, but long overdue.
"Tonight's positive vote ends four years of controversy and serves the best interest of all students in the D211 schools. It would not be possible without the bravery and leadership of Student A, Nova Maday, and every student who is transgender who has attended a District 211 high school in making this day possible.
"We and our client, Nova, look forward to seeing how District 211 will implement this new policy and hope they will do it in a way to best ensure demanding fair treatment for all of their students. We will continue to fight for equal treatment for as long as it takes."